Cheesy Baked Spaghetti is pure comfort food. It has everything that you could want in a quick and easy meal. Loads of meat, tons of cheese, spicy sauce, and of course spaghetti. It is a great make-ahead meal or freezer meal too.
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This cheesy baked spaghetti recipe will become one of your favorite family meals. It is super versatile, delicious and so easy. Plus if you want make-ahead meal ideas, this is one to pin and make. It is a different spin on lasagna. This dinner has been around since the 1700’s find out the history of this oven-baked dish.
If you’re looking for more easy past recipes, try this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Creamy Shrimp Alfredo, or Instant Pot Lasagna.
Why We Love This Recipe
The Spaghetti and cheese bake recipe is full of flavor! Has something that everyone will love and is easily adjustable to make it one of the most popular dinners. It is great for potlucks and family gatherings too.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in the pantry, such easy ingredients…the perfect weeknight meal.
- Family Friendly: Adults and kids alike love this hearty and warm baked comfort meal.
- Adaptable: Can make baked spaghetti with cheese with low-carb, meat-free, vegetables, etc…
- Makes Great Leftovers: Perfect for lunch or dinner the next day everyone loves this recipe. Wondering if this could be frozen? Yes, it also freezes beautifully.
Looking for a delicious twist? Try this pepperoni pizza pasta bake.
Ingredient Notes for Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
- Spaghetti: You can choose any variety that you enjoy – white, wheat, gluten-free, etc. Be sure to cook the spaghetti noodles according to package directions to al dente.
- Ground Beef: When you add the ground beef to this recipe you can really just use your favorite but here we use a nice 80/20 blend.
- All Purpose Seasoning Blend: Divided. The link with the directions are provided.
- Tomato Sauce: Any canned or jarred sauce.
- Cream Cheese: This should be at room temperature so it blends fully.
- Sour Cream: Can use a low-fat or fat-free version.
- Parmesan cheese and grated cheddar cheese.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for the Baked Spaghetti
Remember when we said this easy-baked pasta recipe is versatile? There are so many different ways to make this recipe perfect for your family. If they love spaghetti, this cheese recipe will be a hit.
- Ground Beef – Try using ground sausage, ground veal, or even chicken.
- Sour Cream– Greek yogurt or cottage cheese is a great replacement for this ingredient.
- Sauce– Spaghetti Sauce homemade or store-bought.
- Spices – Italian Seasoning of your choice or make this great one, or just use salt and pepper if you prefer. That is will everyone loves this baked spaghetti it is easy and versatile. Red pepper flakes, cloves of garlic
- Spaghetti Noodles: Add different spaghetti made with whole wheat, protein noodles, or pea noodles, and cook al dente. This will really change your spaghetti game or use any pasta shape you like just cook the pasta according to the package directions.
How to Make Southern-Baked Spaghetti
These are the basic steps for making pasta casserole. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information. Check Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more great Italian-inspired recipes.
STEP 1: PREP
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, add ground beef and season with 1 teaspoon All purpose seasoning blend (photo #1). Then oven medium heat brown ground beef in a large skillet, until no longer pink. Break the meat into crumbles (photo #1).
STEP 2: SAUCE
Next, add tomato sauce, garlic, the remaining teaspoon of All Purpose Seasoning Blend, and Italian seasoning; simmer over low heat for 10 minutes (photo #2). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine onions, cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese; set aside (photo #3).
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE
Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place 1/3 of the cooked spaghetti in the dish; spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the spaghetti mixture (photo #1) and top with 1/3 of the meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish (photo #2). Then repeat these layers two more times. To make two layers you can use half of the spaghetti and half the cheese etc.
STEP 4: BAKE
Finally, place cheese on top (photo #3). Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil from baked pasta and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheesy top is melted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Tips for Making This Cream Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
- Add Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions or your favorite recipe.
- Fresh Herbs: This spaghetti can be enhanced by adding fresh basil, oregano, parsley, etc.
- Variation tip: Use a low-fat or fat-free version of the cheese to save some calories.
- Alternate ingredient: How about using alfredo sauce or vodka sauce to make your best-baked spaghetti?
What to Serve with Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
- Easy Rustic Garlic Bread
- Easy Caesar Salad
- Frozen Lemonade Pie
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
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Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti, cooked
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend, divided
- 24 ounce canned tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups sour cream
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, add ground beef and season with 1 teaspoon All purpose seasoning blend. Cook over medium high heat, until no longer pink. Break meat into crumbles.
- Add tomato sauce, garlic, remaining teaspoon of All Purpose Seasoning Blend and Italian seasoning; simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine onions, cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan cheese; set aside.
- Spray a 3 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place 1/3 of the cooked spaghetti in the dish; spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the noodles and top with 1/3 of the meat sauce mixture. Repeat these layers two more times.
- Top with grated cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions or your favorite recipe.
- Fresh Herbs: This twice baked spaghetti can be enhanced by adding fresh basil, oregano, parsley etc.
- Variation tip: Use a low fat or fat free version of the cheeses to save some calories.
- Alternate ingredient: How about using alfredo sauce or vodka sauce to make your best baked spaghetti.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.